Humble Beginings
Andres Iniesta Lujan was born May 11th 1984 in the small village of La Mancha in Albacete Spain. He was born into a working class family, his father a brick layer, and mother a maid. Iniesta's grandparents ran the local pub in the village and the whole Iniesta family spent most of their time working there when they were not at their real jobs. Growing up Iniesta carried the football everywhere he went with him, and spent a majority of his time on the school field kicking and dribbling the ball, or what he describes as "his best friend."
First Team
At the age of eight Iniesta was enrolled into the Albacete Balompie children's team, and began playing football on a regular basis. This was hard on his parents, and the family business, because to get to practice every day it was a forty five minute drive. Iniesta used to have to leave school an hour early just to get to practice, and some days would even leave at lunch for practice and then be back at his desk later that day, after a 90 mile trip and training.
Barca Snaps up the Young Star
At the age of twelve, while playing in a tournament, Iniesta was noticed by the academy of Futbol Club Barcelona. Iniesta traveled to Barcelona to join the legendary Barca Youth Academy. Moving to Barcelona was extremely hard on him, as his parents were hundreds of miles away, and at the age of twelve Iniesta only saw his parents once a month.
Progressing Through the Ranks
Iniesta started getting used to the situation and making friends at Fc Barcelona's Youth Academy. He was progressing through the levels of the Academy at a quick rate. After six years at the Academy Iniesta turned eighteen, and his family were able to move to Barcelona to be with him. It was hard for his family to leave their humble roots in the village to go to the big city, and Iniesta and his family still today visit there old village on a regular basis.
Rise of a Superstar
During the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons Iniesta played for both the Fc Barcelona first team and the Fc Barcelona B team. The 2004-2005 season saw Iniesta become a key member of the squad, and pick up his first major trophy, with the Spanish La Liga championship going to Fc Barcelona. The 2005-2006 season for Iniesta was huge, with him becoming a star of the team and helping the club win another La Liga Title, and the coveted Uefa Champions League title.
Although during the 2006-2007 and 2007- 2008 seasons, Fc Barcelona did not win any titles, Iniesta rose and become a world class footballer. During the summer of 2008 Iniesta participated in the European Championships with Spain, and brought the title home to the delight of Spanish fans everywhere. Iniesta started every single game in the competition, and was named to the All-Star team.
World Class Player
During the 2008-2009 season some performances by Iniesta showed the world that he was one of the best players in the world. Iniesta has become one of the best dribblers of the ball, and finds ways to go past numerous defenders with ease. With all the great performances, Iniesta has attracted the attention of others teams.
Andres Iniesta Lujan was born May 11th 1984 in the small village of La Mancha in Albacete Spain. He was born into a working class family, his father a brick layer, and mother a maid. Iniesta's grandparents ran the local pub in the village and the whole Iniesta family spent most of their time working there when they were not at their real jobs. Growing up Iniesta carried the football everywhere he went with him, and spent a majority of his time on the school field kicking and dribbling the ball, or what he describes as "his best friend."
First Team
At the age of eight Iniesta was enrolled into the Albacete Balompie children's team, and began playing football on a regular basis. This was hard on his parents, and the family business, because to get to practice every day it was a forty five minute drive. Iniesta used to have to leave school an hour early just to get to practice, and some days would even leave at lunch for practice and then be back at his desk later that day, after a 90 mile trip and training.
Barca Snaps up the Young Star
At the age of twelve, while playing in a tournament, Iniesta was noticed by the academy of Futbol Club Barcelona. Iniesta traveled to Barcelona to join the legendary Barca Youth Academy. Moving to Barcelona was extremely hard on him, as his parents were hundreds of miles away, and at the age of twelve Iniesta only saw his parents once a month.
Progressing Through the Ranks
Iniesta started getting used to the situation and making friends at Fc Barcelona's Youth Academy. He was progressing through the levels of the Academy at a quick rate. After six years at the Academy Iniesta turned eighteen, and his family were able to move to Barcelona to be with him. It was hard for his family to leave their humble roots in the village to go to the big city, and Iniesta and his family still today visit there old village on a regular basis.
Rise of a Superstar
During the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons Iniesta played for both the Fc Barcelona first team and the Fc Barcelona B team. The 2004-2005 season saw Iniesta become a key member of the squad, and pick up his first major trophy, with the Spanish La Liga championship going to Fc Barcelona. The 2005-2006 season for Iniesta was huge, with him becoming a star of the team and helping the club win another La Liga Title, and the coveted Uefa Champions League title.
Although during the 2006-2007 and 2007- 2008 seasons, Fc Barcelona did not win any titles, Iniesta rose and become a world class footballer. During the summer of 2008 Iniesta participated in the European Championships with Spain, and brought the title home to the delight of Spanish fans everywhere. Iniesta started every single game in the competition, and was named to the All-Star team.
World Class Player
During the 2008-2009 season some performances by Iniesta showed the world that he was one of the best players in the world. Iniesta has become one of the best dribblers of the ball, and finds ways to go past numerous defenders with ease. With all the great performances, Iniesta has attracted the attention of others teams.
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